Grade 3, $243,325 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1 1/8 miles, Turfway Park, March 27, 2021 (100 Derby qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth) Winner: Like the King, by Palace Malice Trainer: Wesley Ward Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke Owner: M Racing Group LLC Beyer Speed Figure: 86 LIKE THE KING followed up his solid, second-place finish in the local prep, the Battaglia Memorial (https://www.drf.com/news/road-2021-kentucky-derby-john-battaglia-memorial-analysis), with an even better effort here, prevailing after a rough stretch run and earning a spot in the Derby. It’s hard to know what to make of a race like this on all-weather for a horse whose dirt form is still suspect. He has raced twice on dirt, his best try a distant third in an allowance race at Keeneland last fall that was intended for turf but rained off. He’s made good progress this winter and spring at Turfway, with steadily increasing Beyer figs that include a career-best here. But barring him training like a monster on dirt leading up to the Derby – like Animal Kingdom a decade ago - it’s tough to make a case for him against the division’s best at the moment. In this race, Like the King saved ground while toward the back half of the field around the first turn, was angled outside horses and began a rally three paths wide on the far turn, then was fanned about five wide into the lane while bumping with SAINTHOOD. He was then bumped by the erratic HARD RYE GUY in upper stretch, drifted in under very light right-handed whipping, was straightened up when Van Dyke switched the stick to his left hand, and held safe the onrushing Sainthood. He had to survive an objection, but the correct call was made, as Hard Rye Guy caused the commotion in upper stretch. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Sainthood, who finished second, was forwardly placed early, saving ground while just behind pacesetting MOONLITE STRIKE. He got shuffled back early on the far turn and took a bit of time to get going, drifted out to the four path and bumped with Like the King coming off the bend, had to wait for clearance while Hard Rye Guy left the mark of Zorro in upper stretch, then re-engaged and finished with a flourish. He might have been best. HOCKEY DAD, who was third, broke out a bit at the start and couldn’t get over from his wide draw, so he wound up three to four paths wide around the first turn while just off the pace. He moved closer nearing the far turn, then was sent along in earnest in the three path on the far turn. He battled for supremacy until deep stretch, and only yielded late while competing at a distance probably a bit beyond optimum for him. Not a bad try at all. Hard Rye Guy, who was fourth, raced toward the rear of the field about two to three paths wide around the first turn, moved closer down backstretch, and then launched a serious rally five paths wide on the far turn. He was battling for the lead coming off the bend when he drifted out and bumped Like the King, came back in sharply to interfere with Sainthood, then finished evenly. GRETZKY THE GREAT, who was fifth, went into the first turn alongside Sainthood while stalking Moonlite Strike, was a clear second heading down the backstretch, advanced quickly on the far turn to take the lead as Moonlite Strike faltered, was prominent to the furlong grounds, but then faded readily while not being persevered with in the final yards. Moonlite Strike, who was sixth, took the lead into the first turn while a bit rank, perhaps not adjusting well to racing in blinkers for the first time. He set a sharp pace while way too aggressive, had little response when challenged for the lead midway on the far turn, yielded, and failed to change leads until midstretch. DYN O MITE, who finished seventh, raced between rivals in the first flight of horses while just inside Hockey Dad, in the two path, around the first turn. He eased back to get outside Hockey Dad down the backstretch, then advanced in tandem with Hard Rye Guy while in the four path on the far turn, but was being outrun at the top of the lane when he eased back between horses, after which he surrendered. AWESOME GERRY, who was eighth, bobbled slightly leaving the gate, saved ground around the first turn while following Sainthood, checked entering the backstretch to lose some position, had no response when asked beginning more than a half-mile out, continued to save ground, but had nothing to offer. KING’S OVATION, who was ninth, was allowed to drop back through the field coming through the lane the first time and was in front of only Tarantino while saving ground around the first turn. He was angled to the three path heading into the far turn, but never picked up his feet at any point. SMILEY SOBOTKA, who was 10th, was asked leaving the gate but didn’t respond and went into the first turn toward the back half of the field while two to three paths wide, and he continued to retreat around the first turn, dropping back to 10th. He was taken to the middle of the track down the backstretch, went into the far turn in the four path, but never put forth any effort in his second straight dreadful performance off the layoff. TARANTINO, who was last of 11, broke awkwardly, dropped well behind the field in the opening furlong, and remained far back throughout.